SMALL THINGS LIL PETER MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

A young boy learns that taking care of pets is difficult but worthwhile in the fifth installment in Valdez and Laine’s picture-book series.

When Lil Peter’s friend Christine explains what it means to foster a pet, he immediately wants to bring home a rescue animal. His parents allow him to volunteer at the rescue center where Christine’s mother works. Lil Peter’s very sure of himself—“This is going to be fun and easy!” he believes—but when the work starts to get challenging, he wonders if he’s making a difference. However, he knows the animals are depending on the shelter, so he puts in extra work, doing small but important tasks, including cleaning floors and litter boxes, and showing his parents he’s ready for the responsibility of pet ownership. Valdez and Laine clearly capture Lil Peter’s enthusiasm and determination while painting an accurate portrait of pet care, never glossing over the dirtier parts of the job. The approachable text features a few challenging vocabulary words (such as responsibility) but offers context to assist readers. Leonard’s cartoonlike illustrations have depth and texture and effectively capture Lil Peter’s struggles and successes. Lil Peter, Christine, and their family members have brown skin tones; their friend Timmy is portrayed as White.

A well-told story about the importance of small tasks that will appeal to kids hoping to adopt a pet.